Monday, August 31

What was promoted as the Festa della Patata Rossa (Red Potato Festival) should have in-fact been called the Spit-Fire Fest! I think they would have tripled their attendance if people had a clue what would be served up at this particular potato fest.

As we made our way into the little village of Borgo Pace the breeze blew past us heavy with the smell of fire & meat! When what did my wondering eyes see - the big beautiful giro roasto - rotissieri!Grilled meats slowly cooked over an open fire - does it get any better than that?! YES! When its quale they have crammed on those skewers! Quale is a delicacy here in the Italian countryside - a prized hunt & a most delicious dish to serve! (These ladies meant business - serving up lunch & dinner)And since this was the potato fest - the grilled meats (quale, chicken & sausages) were served with gnocchi in a duck ragu & roasted potatoes.

We were a bit early & lunch didn't start for an hour so we strolled about the tiny town (we probably made 4 loops - not much else to do or see & we couldn't get too far from the rotisseier now could we!) So why not start grazing...There were a few stands serving potato based foods - my favorite being the potato flour doughnuts (as a fatty I went back for seconds...is it actually considered thirds when I ate half of Jason's too ...what! they were soo good & warm!) They also had little fried gnocchi with sugar, frittars, fries, & more - you could even buy just a big bag of red taters. We happened upon the mini antique car show with a dozen or so cars - the lot mainly filled with the ever loved Fiat 500. But this sweet Triumph could take me home!

By the way - check out how super sexy the promo poster is for the potato festival...grasping the potatoes to her boosom!In celebration of the spud (& giro roasto)~ until next year!

Friday, August 21

We've been steadily picking tomatoes for over a month now & have brought in literally HUNDREDS of POUNDS! - no joke!

Here's our most recent rag-tag group of tomato pickers!We rally our guests, family & friends (any one really), willing to lend a hand, to join in the picking!

(We collected these tomatoes in about half an hour with all the kids)

After we pick the tomatoes they are either eaten raw & just popped into the mouth while picking, used in a delicious dish by Jason, chopped & piled on top of bread with a drizzle of the best extra virgin olive oil you can find & a crack of salt for pane al pomodori or we jar them. You truly taste the difference in home jarred tomatoes versus store bought jars or cans - it's huge! I strongly suggest if you've got tomatoes - jar'em - preserve their flavor long into winter & you can use them in any number of ways! Jarring Tip: According to our neighbor Rossana there is no need to peel the tomatoes first (wish someone had told this to Jason before our first round of jarring & the burns that followed from the scalding hot tomaotes in our hands!) She says when you open the jars to use them - this is when you pass them through a food mill....SOO much easier! Grazie Rossana!

Here's how we jar/preserve our tomatoes in Italy:

Pick tomatoes when ripe.

Leave to in a cool dry place to deepen in flavor & mature.

When they are nice & soft, deep red - wash well.

Slice in half & scoop out most of the seeds (if they are large, cut in half again).

In a clean jar pack in your tomatoes nice & tight - using a wooden spoon to push out all the air between the tomatoes.

When jars are full to the top tightly close the lid.

NOTE: An Italian friend of ours swears by adding a pinch of salt to the top before closing the lid.

Wrap jars in newspaper (to prevent banging around in the pot).

Place jars in the biggest pot you have - it must be deep enough to fully submerge the jars.ONLY if your pot is tall enough - you can add a rack on top of your jars & add a second layer. DO NOT stack jars without a rack.

Fill the pot with water 1 inch above the jars.

Bring to a boil.

Boil for 30 minutes & then shut off the heat. Keeping the jars in the water, all the water to cool completely before removing.Store jars in a cool dark place for up to 1 1/2 years.

Monday, August 17

Ferragosto (August 15th) is the celebration of the culmination of summer in Italy! Friends & family gather to eat drink & be merry...and a splash in the pool!

This festival originates from the Roman emperor Augustus, he enjoyed late summer so much so that he claimed it as his own month - thus we now call it by his name. He ordered month-long festivities, called feriae augustus, which included games, races, and rituals to honor the goddess Diana, who was worshiped as queen of the fields as well as of heaven and earth. (For more history on this day click here!)

(Prepping for the party - we picked tons of fresh veggies)

Well this year Jason out did himself yet again with a five course feast -with all the produce straight from our farm garden! PLUS - Franco the local Polentone (polenta maker) was on hand making fresh polenta over an open fire in the front yard!

We almost 100 guests for the day - with service for both lunch & dinner - there was a TON of food, not to mention the biggest pot of tomato sauce I have ever seen AND 2 meat courses - let's just say no one went hungry here!

Another gorgeous sunny Italian day, another gorgeous hilltop town to explore! Next up on the list of uncharted villages, Pennabilli in northern Le Marche ~

What a view!

This charming town found at the foot of Mount Carpegna is filled with art & antiques! Venture deeper into town & you discover countless sundials fit snug in-between shutters & "the sanctuary of thoughts" created by the imagaination of local poet Tonino Guerra.

The village was created out by the merger of two ancient castles; the castles of Billi, which stood on the “rocky spur”, and Penna that stood on the “big rock”. It was initially a feud of the Carpegna and then the Malatesta families. A rich history with Etruscan settlements & even the Pope's confessor lived in town!

Pop in to the (I think only) Enoteca Osteria in town - just off the main piazza for traditional local dishes - the ravioli is fantastic! Then head right across the street for homemade artisan gelato!!

For more on Pennabilli - click here!If you are looking for a beautiful drive & a lazy stroll about a sweet untouristy town - than this makes a great day trip!

Sunday, August 9

Check outItalia! Magazine for my new monthly column on our life in Le Marche! My first column will be in the September 2009 Issue! Crazy huh?! Italia! is the world's best magazine about Italian property, travel, food, wine, culture and people. Every issue helps you get more out of your passion for Italy - whether you're looking to buy a holiday home or cook an authentic Italian recipe.

Saturday, August 8

It seems that lately almost all our guests have either just been to Venice or they are heading there next. Venice is only a 4 hour drive from our farmhouse or a quick train trip (you can catch it in Fano). I've been to Venice a handful of times & find it enchanting & beautiful - so thought I'd share a few of my fav pics!Murano

Make sure to take a Vaporetto out to the sleepy island of Murano for a quiet escape. Not to mention this is where the glass is blown & you can buy earrings at half the price of Venice's shops!

Sunday, August 2

What a month! July has flown by!! I've had lots of family in town & it has been a blast! They have been so awesome helping out & jumping right in -Jason & I are normally a crew of two - but not this month!

Linda was fantastic in the garden- watering everyday and returning with baskets full of tomatoes, onions & whatever else is prime for the picking (watching from afar she seemed at home down there) - plus, she stood at the sink doing dishes for about 3 hours straight one night when we had a dinner for 30! Grace, my 12 year old cousin, has been so cool - always asking if she can help - we cleaned apartments together singing "Stand by your Man" it was one of those times you know you will always remember with a smile on your face! She totally dug the pool, the cats, the garden & the tiramisu! And what can I say about good old Uncle Shawn-bob?! From the moment we told him we were moving to Italy he has been pumped & ready to help with total enthusiasm & I (actually, we) are forever thankful! Chopping wood, filling the sisterns every morning with the water needed for the garden, working the pizza oven, filling up water bottles from the spigots in town, mowing our massive lawn & ...zucchini bread!

Day trips to hill top towns, midnight makeovers & zucchini baking, bottling wine, jamming & jarring & swimming in the Adriatic - what can I say...It's been epic!Thanks for the memories!!!!